Method of inhibiting inflammation in a mammal by administering Bcl protein
In one aspect the present invention provides methods for inhibiting cell death or inflammation in a mammal, wherein the methods each include the step of administering to a mammal a Bcl protein in an amount sufficient to inhibit cell death or inflammation in the mammal. The invention also provides methods for identifying a Bcl protein that inhibits cell death or inflammation when administered to a mammal.
1. A method for inhibiting inflammation in a mammal suffering from inflammation, the method comprising administering to the mammal an isolated Bcl protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% similar to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 in an amount sufficient to inhibit inflammation in the mammal.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mammal is suffering from ischemia.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a human being.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Bcl protein is administered intravenously.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Bcl protein is administered subcutaneously.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Bcl protein is administered intraperitoneally.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Bcl protein is administered transdermally.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Bcl protein is administered to the mammal in an amount from 0.5 μg/kg/day to 50 μg/kg/day for a period of time sufficient to inhibit inflammation in the mammal.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the Bcl protein is administered to the mammal for a period of from 1 day to 20 days.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the Bcl protein is administered to the mammal at least once per day.